Van Orden Christmas Party

Christmas Pictures

Merry Christmas

We had a fun Christmas morning. The kids enjoyed their presents. Paul did not want to unwrap all of them, though, He got interested in a gift, and then did not want to open anything new.

Mariane got an American Girl Doll....not one of the historical ones, but one that looks like her. She got several outfits for it as well. She has been playing with it all day.

Paul got tools so he could be like daddy. They are not toy tools, but real ones. He also got a batman mask. he really likes batman for some reason. he puts the mask on and then growls at people. Earlier Matthew and the rest of my family came over for our Christmas morning breakfast. Matthew was teasing Paul. Paul did not like the teasing, so he pulled his mask down from the top of his head and growled at Mimi.

I got some cartridges for my Cricut and some software for it. I also got some German dvds that I can use for my classes.

Steve got a circular sander, some binoculars, a remote control car, and some stuff for his gun.

For the family we went to the Black Friday sale this year at Walmart and got a big screen tv. It is so different from our little tv.

We had fun, but sadly Steve had to work again this evening. He left earlier than normal, because there is a snow storm today and he wanted to make sure he had enough time to get there.

Christmas Eve

Steve had to work today, so he had to leave around 1:30. This morning we made the Rizzuto meatballs and did a little cleaning in preparation for Santa Clause coming tonight. After Steve left, I watched some Christmas movies with the kids. Mariane watched "A Christmas Carol" for the first time. We also read several books about Christmas like the Polar Express and Twas the Night Before Christmas. Because I kept telling Paul that Santa Claus was coming tonight, he started going around the house looking for him. He was walking all around saying, "Where Santa go?" It was pretty cute, but then when I tried to put him to bed, he did not want to go, because he wanted to "see Claus." He fought with me quite a bit before finally falling asleep.

Now that both kids are asleep, and since Steve is working, it reminds me of the Christmas that he was in Baghdad. It was sad to be away from him then and it is now as well. At least he will get to be here, though, in the morning when the kids wake up and open their presents.

Gingerbread House Pictures

Here are some pictures of the kids making their Gingerbread House.

Potty Training Paul

Paul has been ready to start potty training for a while, but because I am teaching I have out it off, since you have to be consistent for it to work. I had planned on starting during Christmas break. We have been having Paul sit on the toilet for a few minutes everyday, however, he was not successful in going to the bathroom. This morning as we were getting ready for Church, Paul wanted to sit on the toilet and without any prompting from me, he went. I saw that what he was doing so I started to cheer for him, but that kind of scared him, so he stopped, but then he continued. The rest of the day he has been wearing pull-ups and has been mostly successful! Hopefully it will continue! Paul has been very pleased with himself and keeps wanting to call grandpa to tell him.

Gingerbread House

i did a ginger bred house today i decoratid it i put a swing on it there was a snow man a girl and a tree

Candlelight Christmas Photos